Bill on Conscription of Religious Women in Israel Modified

June 29, 1953

JERUSALEM (Jun. 28)

The government bill to conscript religions women for national service will be introduced in the Knesset this week in a modified form which it is believed will offset some of the opposition from religious circles.

The major amendment to the bill provides that the Minister of Defense shall be authorized to exempt from service “truly religious girls who come from religious homes.”

The Agudath Israel tonight held a huge protest meeting against the revised draft of the bill. The delegation of Agudah rabbis will visit Prime Minister David Ben Gurion on Tuesday as well as President Itzhak Ben Zvi to deliver to them a protest against the bill.